Official: 2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider

McLaren Automotive officially unveiled the McLaren MP4-12C Spider today. It’s the convertible version of the MP4-12C coupe and it features most of the 2013 model year updates we reported on recently. The McLaren MP4-12C Spider will be available to order from McLaren dealerships worldwide from today. First deliveries to customers are planned for November this year.

The McLaren MP4-12C Spider gets the same McLaren engineered monocoque chassis from the Coupe weighing just 75kg. It required no additional strengthening as the MP4-12C was originally designed as a convertible. The folding roof mechanism adds just 40kg of weight to the whole package and the hard top can be retracted at the touch of a button. It takes just 17 seconds for the electronic mechanism to lower the roof into the area under the tonneau. This can be done at speeds up to 30km/h. The MP4-12C Spider also gets an electronically operated rear windscreen which acts as a wind deflector. This can be raised or lowered when the roof is raised to allow extra engine noise to enter the cabin.

The McLaren MP4-12C Spider gets the familiar 3.8 liter V8 twin turbo engine as its Coupe family member. Power is rated at 625hp as standard. This is driven to the rear wheels via a seven-speed SSG dual-clutch transmission with shift paddles located behind the steering wheel. Unlike its main rival, the Ferrari 458 Spider, McLaren MP4-12C Spider owners will be able to show off their engines through the glass compartment located behind the tonneau cover.

The McLaren MP4-12C Spider retains plenty of technology too with Brake Steer, ProActive Chassis Control and the unique McLaren Airbrake all included in the package. McLaren claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds for the Spider, a time identical to the Coupe. To 161km/h, the Spider is 0.1 second slower than the Coupe with a time of 6.1 seconds. The spider reaches 200km/h in 9 seconds and top speeds of 329km/h (204mph) which is impressive for a convertible! Fuel economy figures are identical to the Coupe at 11.7 liters/100km, the Spider also puts out 279g/km of CO2.

When the roof is raised, customers can enjoy 52 liters of extra storage space. Bespoke luggage designed by McLaren is provided as standard to every customer to take advantage of this. To protect occupants, McLaren has fitted steel structures to each buttress as part of their Roll Over Protection System. These are designed to absorb crash impacts and maximise the occupants safety.

The McLaren MP4-12C Spider will be launched with seventeen exterior paint options. The car you see in the pictures features a Volcano Red finish, Volcano Yellow has also been added to the Elite colour spectrum. A variety of options will be made available for the interior including semi-aniline perforated leather and Alcantara. the 12C Spider also gets a new wheel design and ‘Diamond Cut’ finishes for existing lightweight and super lightweight forged wheel designs. A vehicle lift system will also join the option list, raising the car by 40mm at the front and 25mm at the rear then reverting to standard settings at 60km/h.

Finally, the configurator has just gone live, so visit McLaren’s website to have a play around and discover your perfect spec! Pricing for customers in the United Kingdom will be £195,500 (243,000 euros at today’s exchange rate) compared to the Coupe’s £168,500 price tag. That adds up to a £27,000 premium.

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